Hi folks. New build coming up.

[boondocks]

Lurking a while, recently joined.
My job is retiring me soon, so I wanted to celebrate by building my first pc in many years.
I'm not a gamer per sae, but I do run some calculation intensive apps that keeps my old core duo maxed out for hours at a time.
I also run a lot of music apps such as Audition, MLP/DTS encoders, etc.
I expect to be overclocking, will be a first for me.
This system is probably overkill, but that's OK.
Order time is about 2 weeks out and my wish list is ready on newegg.
This is what's looking good to me right now;

MOBO - ASUS P8P67 PRO (if I can find one)
CPU - i7 2600K
CASE - Cooler Master HAF 922 (no side window)
PSU - Antec TruePower TP-650
RAM - G SKILL Ripjaws 2x4 GB DD3 1600
CPU COOLER - Cooler Master Hyper 212+
HDD - Caviar Black 1TB (several)
OS - WIN 7 64bit
Optical - Lite On iHAS424-98 (2 - my burners get heavy use)
Graphics - (Looking at different 6850's)
Card Reader - (looking)

Anything stand out as incompatible? And I could probably use some direction with the graphics card. I'm looking at 21-22" monitors, that's pretty much all I can fit on my desk. The case will be on my desk as well as we have pets and a dusty environment.
Like I say, the components are probably overkill but it's a present to myself.
Comments welcome, of course, and greetings to all on my first post.

 

[boondocks]

I forgot to add I'm going to try the onboard sound and see how it works. If I don't like it I have a few 7.1 cards lying around.

 

[dbrons]

well, not incompatible, but have you thought of springing for an ssd? I recently put a Vertex2 in my e8500 rig and it's really a great upgrade.

Dave

 

[tynopik]

the ram is overkill, DDR3 1333 is fine

what are you going to be using 'several' 1TB drives for? are you going to make a raid? will you have enough ports? would 2TB drive make more sense? would samsung drives make more sense than WD regardless?

 

[JBDan]

So it seems that saving $ is not crucial here so not a lot to say. Nice to be in that kind of place congrats.

For sure I would opt in for an SSD... they make a modern day PC imo and the difference is night and day vs an HDD.

Gfx wise the 6850 seems to be good bang for buck nothing wrong there.

Have fun with it I just built my first since 2007 (2500K) and I'm digging it!

 

[boondocks]

well, not incompatible, but have you thought of springing for an ssd? I recently put a Vertex2 in my e8500 rig and it's really a great upgrade.

Dave

I am considering it, not sure how much it will speed up the programs I use, but I have an open mind.

 

[boondocks]

the ram is overkill, DDR3 1333 is fine

what are you going to be using 'several' 1TB drives for? are you going to make a raid? will you have enough ports? would 2TB drive make more sense? would samsung drives make more sense than WD regardless?

Thanks for the heads up on the RAM.
The capability for numerous HDD's is there. I'm not fixed on 1TB drives but I keep a vast amount of music and music related software on my drives, most of it multichannel.
I only picked WD because they have always been reliable for me. Do you prefer the Samsung 3 platter drives?

 

[boondocks]

So it seems that saving $ is not crucial here so not a lot to say. Nice to be in that kind of place congrats.

For sure I would opt in for an SSD... they make a modern day PC imo and the difference is night and day vs an HDD.

Gfx wise the 6850 seems to be good bang for buck nothing wrong there.

Have fun with it I just built my first since 2007 (2500K) and I'm digging it!

Well I guess saving is always good, and I can't say the sky is the limit, but I'm trying to keep everything <2K including buying a router and other peripherals.
I also thought that the 6850's, although more than I really need are priced pretty well. Glad to hear some confirmation!

 

[boondocks]

OK I looked at the Vertex 60 GB drives-should be plenty for the OS and all the programs I use. Reading (skimmed) more about SSD I think it would be a great addition.
Are the OCZ SSD's favored over the other brands among users here?

 

[Athadeus]

No, the only reason people tend to buy OCZ SSDs more is because they were some of the first to have SandForce based controllers, and so the reviews that praised SandForce helped them out a lot. Once they got that head start, the extra reviews sold even more. Personally, I think the G.Skill, Corsair, and Mushkin (are there SF based Mushkins?) are generally better drives.

 

[mfenn]

OK I looked at the Vertex 60 GB drives-should be plenty for the OS and all the programs I use. Reading (skimmed) more about SSD I think it would be a great addition.
Are the OCZ SSD's favored over the other brands among users here?

I probably would not get an OCZ SSD actually, they have had issues with their firmware for a while. I'd get a Corsair Force 60GB.

As for the rest of your build:
Mobo: Unless you have a specific need for a feature of the Pro, I'd get the less expensive GA-P67A-UD3 instead.
CPU: Probably overkill.
Case: Fine
PSU: Overkill on wattage, but good quality.
RAM: I'd save the $5 and get something without fancy heatspreaders.
HSF: Good
HDD: For media storage, I'd consolidate on fewer 2TB drives like the WD Green. The cost per gig is quite a bit less than 1TB drives, so you'll be able to buy extras to do a proper backup.
OS: Good
ODD: Fine
GPU: $155 seems to be about the going rate for a 6850. That's not a good deal in comparison to a $170 AR 5870. (Hard to imagine that that card was $400 a year ago!)
Card reader: Here's a Rosewill that reads just about anything and plugs into an internal USB header.

 

[mfenn]

(are there SF based Mushkins?)

Yep, the Callisto Deluxe drives are Sandforce based.

 

[JBDan]

I got the Force60GB from Corsair it's really nice. 2 weeks ago when I bought it it was $104. 3 days ago it was $139. Right now it is $129.....up and down!

I use it for Win7 and about 10 other programs including my RAW editing software for Nikon CNX2. I still have 37GB of space left on the SSD.

I use the 1TB Samsung F3 for music, photos, well everything else.

I bought all my stuff in regards to all the info mfenn (thx btw) and mnewsham (thx btw) posts here sans my PSU (I spent a little extra on that). I couldn't be happier.

 

[boondocks]

Thanks, guys. I'm taking another look at the Gigabyte boards, and the Corsair SSD.
A friend also pointed out the change in architecture for the OCZ drives, seems like a move to the Corsair would be a good idea. But I guess they are all moving to the smaller (25nm?) at some point.
If I go with the Gigabyte board, I would probably go with 2TB drives for the 2 SATA 3
onboard connections. I have a little money to work with right now, going to keep watching newegg pretty closely and see what I can catch, and the rest in probably 2 weeks.
I'm pretty stuck on the i7, don't think I'm going to change that. The RAM I will change from the G SKILL ripjaws to another.

 

[boondocks]

Actually I forgot about the SSD using one of the SATA 3, but that's no problem as I only need quicker read/write from one HDD. The rest of the HDD could connect to the SATA 2's.

 

[JBDan]

Actually I forgot about the SSD using one of the SATA 3, but that's no problem as I only need quicker read/write from one HDD. The rest of the HDD could connect to the SATA 2's.

The Force series is SATAII. I've read so much on SSD's that I have a headache, but it seems as SATAII is plenty fine for today's SSD's. Maybe that will not be the case soon? idk

Just make sure the mobo has all the features and inputs that your going to need. Find your hardware, then match it up with your mobo of choice

 

[mnewsham]

Actually I forgot about the SSD using one of the SATA 3, but that's no problem as I only need quicker read/write from one HDD. The rest of the HDD could connect to the SATA 2's.

Connecting an HDD to the SATA III port will not do anything, neither will connecting the SSD. NO current HDD can saturate even an SATA II port, let alone SATA III. High end SSD's will saturate SATA II, yours however will NOT so the SATA III ports CAN be used but WONT be fully utilized.

 

[boondocks]

Connecting an HDD to the SATA III port will not do anything, neither will connecting the SSD. NO current HDD can saturate even an SATA II port, let alone SATA III. High end SSD's will saturate SATA II, yours however will NOT so the SATA III ports CAN be used but WONT be fully utilized.

I did not know that. Thanks!
Recommendations for an adapter to fit the SSD in a 3.5 bay, or are they all pretty much the same?

 

[JBDan]

I did not know that. Thanks!
Recommendations for an adapter to fit the SSD in a 3.5 bay, or are they all pretty much the same?

The Force60 comes with one! I don't use it though

Per Newegg: "Included 2.5" to 3.5" bracket for installation on your desktop computer"

 

[mnewsham]

They are all pretty much the same, I have used OCZ, ones and silverstone ones

 

[boondocks]

Understood on the bracket. Per suggestions and thinking it out, I went ahead and ordered today;
Gigabyte P67A-UD3 MOBO
+
Cooler Master HAF 922 CASE
Antec TruePower TP650

That gives me something to look at while I'm waiting to get the rest.

 

[mfenn]

That gives me something to look at while I'm waiting to get the rest.

LOL! :awe: Normally I don't recommend buying parts piecemeal because then you'll have to start worrying about keeping track of difference return windows in the case of a DOA part.

 

[boondocks]

LOL! :awe: Normally I don't recommend buying parts piecemeal because then you'll have to start worrying about keeping track of difference return windows in the case of a DOA part.

Yeah, I get it. :\ Everything else will be ordered in a single order, so there won't be too much spread. I did find a deal on a router on tigerdirect today but everything else should be via newegg.

 

[boondocks]

Update, I ended up making another partial order, as my -ahem- "banker" released some more funds.
Hoping my severance pay hits the bank tonight. That would allow me to get on the road with the rest of the purchases.

Currently I have;
CASE - HAF 922
MOBO - Gigabyte P67A-UD3-B3
SSD - Corsair F60
GPU - Sapphire HD 6850
PSU - Antec TP-650 (it's pretty!)
OD - (2) LG DVD Burner GH24NS50 OEM
ROUTER - Linksys BEFSR41 (refurb - < $11.00 shipped, up and running)

Next order;
CPU - i7 2600K
OS - WIN 7 PRO System Builders v
RAM - G SKILL Ripjaws 2x4 MB F3-10666CL7D-8GBRH ($79 with coupon code)
HDD - (2) WD Green WD20EARS 2TB
CPU COOLER - CM Hyper 212+
Monitor - Acer S211HLbd 21.5" (can only go 20.5" wide on desk)
KB/Mouse - Probably Logitech wireless
Card Reader -Rosewill RCR-IC002 74-in-1 USB 2.0 3.5" Internal Card Reader
UPS -Tripp Lite OMNIVS1000 OMNI VS 1000 VA 500

Total build cost with everything listed approx $1800.

Advice welcome, and I have some questions if you folks would care to comment.

(1) Would mounting the PSU with the fan oriented to bottom of case be a plus? PC will sit on my computer desk.

(2) Also, there is no matching hole in case for MOBO hole on middle/right of MOBO right below the ATX power plugin. Could/should I place some type of standoff there for board flex when plugging/unplugging ATX? Not particularly paranoid about it, but I thought it worth asking.

(3) When the pc is booted up for first time, I intend to have only SSD & an OD connected. After OS install, better to download drivers than install from MOBO drivers CD?

(4) SSD drive in one of the SATA 3 ports, Both HDD's & OD's in SATA 2 ports seem like the optimal? MOBO has 2 SATA 3, 4 SATA 2.

Sorry for the long a** post.

 

[BoomerD]

Do a search here for "Build & boot." I've posted it numerous times. IMO, it's the best way to assemble a new PC. It lets you test components at each step of the assembly.